Buying or Selling Property? Remember Your Photo IDs

Verification of identity [VOI] today is a normal part of a property transaction for both buyers and sellers of property. Even if you are obtaining finance from a lending institution, you will require a VOI check.

Any property transaction lodged with Land Victoria requires a verification process to be undertaken, even for the transfer of property to a spouse or the transfer of property to a surviving proprietor in respect of deceased Estate.

It is important to ensure your identification documents − in particular those containing a photo ID, such as a passport (either Australian or overseas) and a driver’s licence − are kept up to date. These are the primary identification documents used for a VOI check. If you have an expired Australian Passport, this can still be accepted if it has not been cancelled and has not been expired for more than two years. Think twice about not renewing a passport − the process of VOI can become complicated if your identification is out of date.

Once your VOI check has been undertaken, it will be valid for future transactions as there is no longer a requirement to re-verify your identity every two years. It is also beneficial if you are about to sell or buy a property within the next 12 months to verify you have the VOI documents and even undergo the VOI check as first step in a property transaction.

Please contact our Property team if you have any questions and we would be happy to meet with you at our office or any other location that suits you.  Online services are also available to complete your VOI electronically from the comfort of your own home.